Frame & Motor question

[Cpt. Bondo]

Guys,
I know some people won't like this question and I may get flames for this, but I'm going to ask anyway....

Has anyone tried to put a different engine in a 250 Rebel frame yet?

Here's why I am asking...

I have 2 bikes with bad titles. I do have the titles, but they've been sold/re-sold so many times that it just isn't worth the hassel to get the paperwork right on them.

One is an old CB350 and the other is a CM400E.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/Cpt_Bondo/bikes/honda8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/Cpt_Bondo/bikes/cm4002.jpg

With the parts availability for the 250s, I should be able to scrounge up the parts needed for the swap over rather easily. Besides, I have always liked the looks of the Rebel and the seat height works real well for me since I have screwed up the disks in my lower back.

The single downtube on the 250 frames doesn't bother me one bit. Both bikes have that same setup and I can more than likely modify the mounting system to fit.

I'm just curious if someone else has tried it yet and if so, what problems did they run into? :?

Thanks,
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

[cTc]

Havent tried it, have heard of some planning to, but no response as to how or if it went.

I'd be intrested in getting my hands dirty if the cm400 turned out to be a donor.

Good luck if you decide to give it a try.

[GearJammer]

Haven't tried it either, but can picture the "Rebel" cookin' with either of those motors in that frame. (I'd go full boat with the CM400, too, LMAO!)

I've always been a believer of "where there's a will, there's a way", not always maybe, but usually.

Possible hurdles to overcome ? The Rebel frame being somewhat on the weaker side structurally, it might want some beefing up to stay on the safe side. Lining up the gearbox sprocket & final drive chain sprocket may or may not require some off-setting. Drive chain itself.....520 ? 525 ? might not be such an issue (not positive about that tho')......Don't see why your idea couldn't be done & the thought of those extra ponies in a modified Rebel frame is pretty cool!

[Cpt. Bondo]

Thanks for the responces.

The work involved doesn't bother me one bit. I've been doing this type of stuff for a while now, I just like to do my homework before I start any new projects any more. Going into something blind isn't my idea of fun anymore since I've gotten older and have more responsibilities (read that bills to pay) than when I was much younger.

I'm seriously thinking about going forward with the project as a diversion when I get fed up with the CB750 Chopper project. Kinda like something to take my mind off of cutting the damn thing up into a million pieces like I wanted to do earlier tonight!

I'm still not sure of which one I will use yet. I guess it depends on which one fits the best on the frame. Now all I gotta do is source up a good 80's Rebel 250 frame on the cheap!

When the project gets rolling, I'll keep everyone updated on the project.
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

[cTc]

I happen to have a nice 85 frame out back of the shop that I could let go of if you still need one.

[Cpt. Bondo]

I happen to have a nice 85 frame out back of the shop that I could let go of if you still need one.

If it's got a clean title I'm definately interested. How much are you wanting for it and can you ship it?
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

[cTc]

Thats the only trick, there is no title, in georgia if it older than 86 it dosent require a title to register it. Not sure if that will work out for you or not.

[Cpt. Bondo]

Thats the only trick, there is no title, in georgia if it older than 86 it dosent require a title to register it. Not sure if that will work out for you or not.

If you can give me a bill of sale that might work. I registered and got a title for a 65 Nova I bought in Georgia a few years back with one. Not sure if it still works that way or not. I can call the DMV in Columbia later today and find out.

-Scott

[cTc]

Its actually in a pile of parts I am getting ready to list on ebay, If figured $40 bucks for the frame.

Later

[Cpt. Bondo]

Sold!

I never could get through to the person in Columbia that I was told to speak to about the title issue. Even if I can't get the title with a bill of sale I still want it. this way I can mock everything up and if I screw something up badly I haven't lost a ton of money!

Let me know what the shipping will be to 29483 and I'll get you the money as soon as I get the total amount owed in either a money order or PayPal. Let me know please.

What else ya got in the pile??? Anything interesting??? :) :lol:

Looks like I'm gonna be on the lookout for Rebel 250 parts now!

Thanks again,
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

[MattD]

Ebay Time!!!!
Scott, I don't know exactly where it's at, but I hear there's a motorcycle salvage yard in Columbia.

[cTc]

I'll check on the shipping, I'll wrap the bejeezus out of it with bubble wrap and tape it down good, and then I'll try to find some cardboard to wrap it in.

Will let you know something soon as i know.

Later

I'll also check to see what else is out there, I know I have a couple rebel swing arms, air box, front and rear fender (I think) maybe some misc wiring, trees, stock '85 bars (I think they are bent) and maybe some other rebl stuff.

I do have a new tank, and a fender st I painted to match the tank, the rear is shaved and only for solo seat, I also have gas cap, ignition and key set.

There is probably more, but would have to look through everything first.

Let me know if you need anything else, it may be cheaper for us to meet half way if you decide to need more things.

Later.

[Cpt. Bondo]

I'll definately be needing a swingarm and if you by chance happen to have a rear axel and spacers that you're wanting to get rid of, I'll be much appriciative. I already have a rear rim for a 250 that I was going to use on the CB350 project, but not the axel & spacers.

I'm also thinking real hard about the ignition/lock/gas cap set too. It wouldn't happen to have the original Rebel logo key by any chance would it?

I'll be sitting down either Saturday afternoon or Sunday sometime and figure out exactly what I want/need for the project. Once you get a good idea of what you do & don't have in the parts pile for the 250, please let me know and we'll go from there.

How far from Greenville, S.C. are you? I might be able to get some time off from work on a weekend and drive up there. I just gotta let 'em know in advance first seeing as I'm the one that runs the shop every weekend. My Crown Vic SHOULD be able make the trip and will hold all the parts. The trunk on that thing is huge! I can also throw stuff in the back seat area too.

The trees and air box just might make the trip home too... Still thinking about it though. You wouldn't happen to have a battery box/cover setup in the pile by chance?

As far as the tins go, that's something I'm going to have to sit down and think about this weekend too. I'm not sure which direction I'm going to go with it exactly yet.

Thanks again,
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

I'll check on the shipping, I'll wrap the bejeezus out of it with bubble wrap and tape it down good, and then I'll try to find some cardboard to wrap it in.

Will let you know something soon as i know.

Later

I'll also check to see what else is out there, I know I have a couple rebel swing arms, air box, front and rear fender (I think) maybe some misc wiring, trees, stock '85 bars (I think they are bent) and maybe some other rebl stuff.

I do have a new tank, and a fender st I painted to match the tank, the rear is shaved and only for solo seat, I also have gas cap, ignition and key set.

There is probably more, but would have to look through everything first.

Let me know if you need anything else, it may be cheaper for us to meet half way if you decide to need more things.

Later.

[cTc]

Once you have firgured what you might need, just let me know, then I can dive in the pile and see exactly what all is there.

Greenville is no problem, I am leaving in the morning for spartainburg, I am an apprentice stone sculptor there under the only sculptor in the south.

Just make me a list and we'll see what I have and dont have and then we'll work on the price of the lot.

I also have a complete 250 engine in the shop, but I dont know anything about it, I have never tried to fire it.

Later

[Cpt. Bondo]

Once you have firgured what you might need, just let me know, then I can dive in the pile and see exactly what all is there.


Right now, as far as I can figure, what I need is a frame, swingarm, lock set, handlebar switches & levers, battery box, and what items mount under the seat on the left side of the bike. I know the air box is there, but I haven't really looked to see what else is there too.

If you have a seat that needs recovering and a rear axel with the spacers, I would be interested in them as well.

I'm still undecided on the tins and the tripple trees. I might go with a curved fender instead of the ducktail one that came on the bikes stock and I have a couple of front ends sitting here already (but they're for other bikes and I don't know if they'll work on that frame).

Thanks once again,
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo

[cTc]

Ok, let me do some looking over the next day or so and I'll see whats there.

I can understand on the tins, I am looking in the $500.00 range for the tins alone, I am thinking of buying another older rebel and doing a resto project and using the tins on it. The tanks never had a drop of gas in it, and I am anxious to see the shaved rear fender and solo seat on the rebel.

I'll let you know what I find from your list. I should have a fair amount of the items, I think I even have the handlebar switches, and I have a set of the vintage handlebars, I think they bent but its hard to tell how much with out having them on a bike.

later

[Cpt. Bondo]

Cool,
Take your time, I'm in no rush right now.

Let me know and we'll work something out,
-Scott

[cTc]

Once I tackle this huge box of parts I can tell more about whats there, I'm gonna have to dive in head first.

[cTc]

Heres waht I found

http://www.hondarebelforum.com/images/parts.jpg

Frame
Swingarm
Airbox
Triple Tree
Left handlebar control (horn side)
Chopped kickstand & shifter assembly
Chrome rear fender struts
Complete wiring harness, with fues box, coils & plug wires & CDI box.
Starter solinoid & wiring
Speedometer with 15k miles (not in pic)
And the bent stock bars (not in pic)

Everything listed here $250

And I may have a front or rear fender or maybe even both.

Add $20 for the front fender if I have one
Add $30 for the rear fender if I have one
If you want fenders.

Or let me know what parts you are interested in and we'll see what we can work out.

I do have the key, cap and ignition, but I dont know that I want to sell them right now. I am looking at another rebel to buy and use the paint set I have and the key set on it.

Should you want the cap key and ignition $150.00
and the paintset $500.00 - The tank is new, and the rear fender work wasnt cheap.

Anywho... Just let me know when you have time if there is anything there you are interested in and we'll see what we can do.

Later

[Cpt. Bondo]

cTc,
First let me say HAPPY B-DAY!!! I hope it was a good one for you!

Here's what I can use from the list:

Frame
Swingarm
Airbox
Triple Tree
Left handlebar control (horn side)
Chrome rear fender struts
Complete wiring harness, with fues box, coils & plug wires & CDI box.
Starter solinoid & wiring
Speedometer with 15k miles (not in pic)

$250.00 sounds good, but I might still have to have you ship them if things don't change at work in the next couple of weeks or so.

I've been working 6 days straight out in this heat and on Sunday (the only day they CAN'T call me in because they're closed) I just don't have the energy to do anything hardly at all. Let me tell you between the heat and the nasty thunderstorms that have been rolling through lately, I just can't get a break! I think my poor ol' Spirit 750 thinks I've forgotten about her!

If you don't mind waiting for me to pick them up for a couple of weeks or so, I'll gladly run up there. If space is an issue, I'll be happy to pay the shipping charges.

Before I forget, what is the name of the font you used to make the "cTc is 30" banner and where can I get it? I've been looking for something like that for a while now.

Please let me know and thanks once again,
-Scott H. AKA Cpt. Bondo 8)

[cTc]

Space is not a problem, if you want the items I'll put them to the side.

I'll have to find out what font that was, he's used it on some other work he's done for me in past.